A screen capture of Datuk Bung Moktar Radin's twitter page showing his tweet after Germany trashed Brazil 7-1 in the World Cup 2014 semi-final.KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 — Germany’s Ambassador to Malaysia objected today to a Malaysian leader’s salute of Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler in his praise for the country’s performance in the World Cup, saying the comparison was “unacceptable”.

In a statement emailed to The Malay Mail Online, His Excellency Holger Michael said the embassy “strongly rejects” the reference made by Datuk Bung Moktar Radin, who said earlier today that the German team had “fought like Hitler” in the semi-final match this morning.

“While we appreciate the admiration for the German football team, we strongly reject the unacceptable allusion to the fascist regime of Adolf Hitler,” Michael said.

Bung had tweeted a salute to Hitler this morning, which led many Twitter users to chastise him. An unrepentant Bung then heaped abuse on them.

“Well done… Bravo… Long live Hitler…” the federal lawmaker posted on the microblogging site via the Twitter handle @MyKinabatangan.

Bung has since defended his tweet, saying he had only done so out of his admiration for the German football team.

Brazil's Oscar scores brazil's only goal during their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 9, 2014. — Reuters pic

A Brazil fan reacts after the team's 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 9, 2014. — Reuters pic

Brazil fans reacts after the team's 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 9, 2014. — Reuters pic

Brazil fans reacts after the team's 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 9, 2014. — Reuters pic

Brazil's David Luiz reacts after they lost their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 9, 2014. — Reuters pic

A Brazil fan reacts after the team's 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 9, 2014. — Reuters pic

Brazil fans reacts after the team's 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 9, 2014. — Reuters pic

Brazil's coach Luiz Felipe Scolari (left) gestures past Luiz Gustavo after they lost their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 9, 2014. — Reuters pic

Brazil fans reacts after the team's 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 9, 2014. — Reuters pic

Brazil fans reacts after the team's 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Germany at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 9, 2014. — Reuters pic

Germany's coach Joachim Loew and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer exchange hugs with Brazil's Dante and Daniel Alves at the end of their 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte July 9, 2014. — Reuters pic

Argentinian football fans with their bodies painted to match the team's uniform watch a broadcast of the 2014 World Cup semi-final against the Netherlands at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

A clown from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus is pictured during a promotional event linked to the Brazil 2014 World Cup, in Los Angeles, California July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

Dutch fans watch Netherlands' 2014 World Cup semi-final football match against Argentina, at a public screening in Amsterdam July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

Argentinian football fans watch a broadcast of the 2014 World Cup semi-final against the Netherlands at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

Dutch fans react after the Netherlands lost their 2014 World Cup semi-final football match against Argentina, at a public screening in Amsterdam July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

Argentina's Ezequiel Garay (rear) celebrates with his teammate Javier Mascherano after winning their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against the Netherlands at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

Goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen of the Netherlands reacts after failing to save the decisive penalty kick by Argentina's Maxi Rodriguez during the penalty shootout in their 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates with teammate Mariano Andujar (back) their win over the Netherlands at the end of their 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

Argentinian fans pray during the penalty shootout as they watch a broadcast of the 2014 World Cup semi-final football match against the Netherlands, at a public square viewing area in Buenos Aires July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

Jasper Cillessen of the Netherlands watches as he fails to stop the decisive penalty shot by Argentina's Maxi Rodriguez during their penalty shootout in their 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

Robin van Persie (left) of the Netherlands fights for the ball against Argentina's Ezequiel Garay during their 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

Argentina fans dressed up as Pope Francis, show 'seven', in reference to the number of goals Brazil let in against Germany in their semi-final match July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

Dirk Kuyt of the Netherlands reacts during their 2014 World Cup semi-finals against Argentina at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

Argentina's Lionel Messi (left) and Jordy Clasie of the Netherlands reach for the ball during their 2014 World Cup semi-finals at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo July 10, 2014. — Reuters pic

The Kinabatangan MP from Sabah, a self-professed fan of the team nicknamed “Die Mannschaft”, said they fought like Hitler when they thrashed Brazil 7-1 in the World Cup semi-final match early this morning.

The embassy however declined to comment on the severity of the salute for Hitler, which can constitute a crime in Germany.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had pointed out today that Bung Moktar’s adulatory comment of Hitler was a slur to Germany rather than a compliment, and falls foul of the country’s denazification laws.

Modern-day Germany has laws that prohibit the distribution or public use of symbols of unconstitutional groups, in particular, flags, insignia, uniforms, slogans and forms of greeting related to the Third Reich and other forms of fascism.

Austrian-born Hitler was the leader of Nazi Germany between 1934 and 1945, and was at the centre of World War II.

Hitler was also behind the Holocaust, the mass extermination and execution of millions of European Jews in concentration camps.